Delmas BENIN (CMA-CGM Group) Postal Address: 01 BP 2023 Cotonou. « Immeuble
LA LAGUNE (GANHI face à la Société Générale
des Banques du BENIN SGBB) ». General Tel: (+229) 21319974 / 90033062 Fax: (+229) 21311813 E-Mail:cto.ldohou@african-agency.com
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OT Africa Line Service
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For comprehensive details highlighting our service from Benin please
see our latest service
brochure.
Cotonou
Port Information
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Cotonou port and city is the de facto capital of
Benin (formerly Dahomey), situated along the Gulf of Guinea. It is the starting
point of the so-called Benin-Niger Railway, which extends 273 miles (439 km)
into the interior but ends in the middle of Benin at Parakou. Goods can be
moved another 200 miles (322 km) by road to the navigable Niger River. Cotonou
is the economic hub of Benin and is the nation's largest urban centre. Its
industries include brewing, textile production, and palm-oil processing.
Modern artificial deepwater port facilities were completed in 1965 at Cotonou
to serve both Benin and Togo.
The port of Cotonou is a deep water port mainly used for the imports of cereals
and gypsum used in the construction and agricultural industries. Cotton and
kapok are the main exports.
During 1989-1991 the port was upgraded under a rehabilitation
scheme costing nearly 2.5 billion CFA.
Today the port zone covers 400,000m2. It has 8 berthing stations
divided into 4 berths of 155m for conventional vessels, 2 classical berths
of 180m for conventional vessels and 1 berth of 220m for container vessels
and 1 berth at the end of the commercial quay to take roll on, roll off vessel.
Cotonou port offers both bonded and unbondedwarehousing: Bonded: Covering an area of 57,000m2 with a container depot of 65,000
m2 and a free zone reserved for Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.
Unbonded:Numerous warehouses and store yards.
The implementation of the ISPS code came into effect on the 1st
July 2004, a global maritime security standard introduced by the International
Maritime Organisation (IMO) for member nations.
Below are the details of the Benin port plans for 2004
Port facility security plans are being put in place.
Higher cement walls (0.4m) have been added.
Strict control at gates has been enforced, with watchman and patrols in use.
Floodlighting at the quayside and waterside is in place.
All workers must have ID cards.
The port facility security officer can be contacted 24hrs a day.
OT Africa Line has a dedicated terminal terminal offers a full
range of shore handling services exclusive to OT Africa Line customers and
which is managed by
our agency office,
Delmas BENIN (CMA-CGM Group).
OT Africa Line has full control over shore operations, offering a complete portfolio
of services. Benefits available to importers include positioning of containers
in less than one hour after presentation of unstuffing authorisation. Transit
of cargo is therefore accelerated, allowing the importer to honour consignee
deadlines and further develop trade activities in the region.
OT Africa Lines Container Facility - Facts & Figures
Terminal incorporates 7,000m² of quay space, allowing containers to
be stacked in consignee order.
Two forklift trucks - a 50 tonne Svetruck and a 15 tonne Kalmar
model - dedicated to the shore handling of OT Africa Line units.
Full security fencing around the entire terminal with access limited to
one entry point. Security is of extremely importance in Cotonou as 90% of
containers are unstuffed on quay.
The terminal employs its own personnel including tallymen and drivers.
The terminal is operational between 0700 hours and 2300 hours
on weekdays and between 0800 hours and 1200 hours on Saturdays.
Future developments at the terminal include a dedicated shore handling
invoice facility, which is currently being completed.
Cotonou is the major transit port for Nigeria, Niger, Burkina
and Togo and has a strong import market with high demand for a wide range of
commodities
including petroleum products, foodstuffs and light consumer goods. The region
also produces a number of agricultural products for export markets including
cotton, cashew and shea nuts.
For further information on OTAL's inland service from Cotonou, please click
here.
Transport
News
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Benin Renews Customs Duty Waivers On Buses, Computer
Equipment - 17/12/09
According to the fraft budget presented to the National Assembly the government
will in 2010 renew the customs duty waivers in computer equipment, buses and
equipment for petrol stations. [PANA 17/12/09]
Officer Killed In Pirate Attack Off West Africa - 24/11/09
Pirates have attacked a panamax tanker off the coast of West Africa, killing
a Ukrainian officer and wounding other crew
members. The 73,626 dwt, Liberian flagged Cancale Star was attacked 33-km
off the Benin coast. According to the
Hamburg-based operating company Chemikalien Seettansport, the vessel’s
crew fought back against their attackers,
successfully fending them off and capturing one pirate in the process. Having
taken control of the ship, the crew then
proceeded to the port of Cotonou in Benin where they handed the pirate over
to the local authorities.
According to the International Maritime Bureau [IMB] piracy in the waters
of West Africa is on the rise, with 100 such
incidents recorded last year. The IMB has previously warned of heightened
piracy risks along shipping routes in Nigeria and
Ghana, to the east and west of Benin. [LL 24/11/09]
Benin Customs Seeks Closer Ties With Nigeria - 28/10/09
Benin Customs Service is seeking closer ties with its Nigerian counterpart, the
Director General of the Customs Service, Hippolyte Djegou, noted when he visited
the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko Inde.
Djegou outlined areas of mutual concern. First among these is that Benin is
organising the 3rd session of the Nigeria-Benin Joint Commission. Since the
commission was set up in 1980, it has met only twice; 1986 in Benin and last
year in Nigeria. Other challenges include; the parking lots construction project
in Nigeria, the Idiroko project where a SGS scanner facility is located, smuggling
and general working conditions of customs officers. An 8-member committee was
constituted with a one month time line to critically look into problems and
make recommendations. A road map will then be agreed upon at the next meeting.
[DT 28/10/09]
EXIM Bank Extends US$15 Million Credit - 22/10/09
Export-Import Bank of India [EXIM] has extended credit worth US$15 million
to the Government of Benin. Part of the fund is for the purchase of railway
equipment. This is the first ever Line of Credit [LOC] extended by Exim Bank
to Benin. [PTI 22/10/09]
Bolloré Wins Cotonou Port Concession - 10/08/09
The Bolloré Group has won the concession to manage the autonomous port
of Cotonou [PAC] as part of a public-private partnership. Benin's Minister
of Ports Issa Badarou announced the result on 07/08/09. " Bolloré's
bid offer was exceptional and the fullest. It fully met our development vision.
And that was why we are concessioning the port to Bolloré."
The 3 running companies for the PAC concession were Bolloré,
Maersk and ICPS of the Philippines. The tender offer closed 09/07/09.
The Bolloré Group, composed of Bolloré and Société de
Manutention du Terminal à Conteneurs de Cotonou, will manage the South
Wharf Container Terminal operations for 25 years. The terminal is intended
to improve port performance and security, expand capacity, and cut costs. It
is expected to significantly reduce delays at the port and help increase opportunities
to develop external markets for the agriculture and fishing industries.
Bolloré’s proposal included a commitment to pay fees of US$200
million over the first 8-years of operations, and to invest US$256 million
in operating equipment and civil works over the life of the concession. Bolloré is
expected to pay into Benin's account 10 billion CFA francs [15.25 million euros
/ US$21.67 million] before signing the concession contract. The government
of Benin has also received funding of US$169 million from the United States
under a program conducted by the Millennium Challenge Corporation to assist
in the port sector reforms. The program is also supported by a multi-donor
affiliation including: Private Infrastructure Development Group, supported
by the U.K.’s Department for International Development, the Dutch Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, the Swedish International Development Agency, and the Austrian
Development Agency.
Cotonou port is Benin's major income earner, accounting
for 90% of external exchanges and more than 60% of the nation's GDP. The
port serves several countries
in the region including Nigeria, Mali and Burkina Faso. It also serves as
the main transit port for Niger, particularly for the export of uranium to
the
world's premier civil nuclear firm, France's Areva group.
Trans-Benin Highway To Be Funded By Abu Dhabi - 27/07/09
The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development [ADFD] has signed a US$10-million concessionary
loan to build a 75km highway in Benin. The road will connect Benin to Togo
in the west and Nigeria in the east. The decision to develop the highway
came after a feasibility study was conducted in the region. Work will begin
this year. The agreement was signed by Mohammed Saif al Suwaidi, acting director
general of the Fund, and Essa Musa Torry, Benin’s ambassador to the
UAE. The development fund was established in 1971 to assist the financing
of projects in developing countries through loans and other financial assistance.
[TN 27/07/09]
Benin Sets Up Commission With Nigeria - 10/06/09
Benin and Nigeria have agreed to set up a bi-national commission that will
seek palliative measures to
counteract the global economic downturn on the trading fortunes of both countries.
The crisis has hit border
trade, particularly the reduction of demand of goods from Benin by Nigerians.
Benin ranks Nigeria as its 7th
trading partner whereas Nigeria ranks Benin as its 37th. The commission is
hoped to address this imbalance.
[TD 10/06/09]
West Africa Development Bank Grants Benin Loan To Build
Roads - 06/05/09
The West African Development Bank has granted Benin a US$16million loan
toward the construction of the road linking Djougou-Ouaké to the
country's border with Togo. Jointly financed by the Regional Integration
Fund [FAIR]
and the West African Economic and Monetary Union [UEMOA], the project will
help open up the north-central part of the country and increase trade between
Benin and its neighbours in t he sub-region.
The loan is part of the bank's 2009-2013 strategic plan which aims to increase
its investments in road and ports among others as well as improve economic
integration in the sub-region. With the latest loan, the bank's investments
in Benin has reach CFA F 36.9b [US$73 million] over 7 years. [PANA 06/05/09]
Benin Regulation On Importation of Used Vehicles - 17/04/09
Please
click here to view a circular issued by Benin Customs. Due to a rise in fraud
of imported vehicle registration documents the Customs office now requires that
the first-year-of-use of the vehicle be
indicated on the manifest. This is applicable immediately for all type
of used vehicles. This also includes vehicles in transit. Penalties
will apply if these details are ommited.
OT Africa Line Launches New Service To Benin - 24/03/09 OT Africa Line is please to launch a new weekly container
service to Cotonou [Benin]. Please view the attached announcement for details.
New Engines To Revive Benin-Niger Railway - 03/03/09
Benin has purchased three new engines at a cost of US$2 million [FCFA1.50 billion]
to revive the activities of the Benin-Niger Joint Railway Company / Organisation
Commune Benin-Niger des Chemins de Fer et des Transport [OCBN].
Goods traffic on the line has been in decline over recent years
to an extent that it now represents an insignificant share in volume of transit
goods to
Niger and in Benin’s internal transports. This reduction was due mainly
to competition from trucks and the decline in the quality of service by the
railway.
The Indian-made engines will enable the company to resume work
after several months of inaction due to its ageing facilities. Authorities
have also noted
three further engines will be ordered. This move will enable the transport of
granite blocks as part of the fight against coastal erosion and the construction
of two wharfs within the Cotonou
Ports Authority as well as offering direct links to the Niger capital of Niamey
and CTBL destinations within Benin including Parakou and Pobé. [PANA
03/03/09]
China Grants Benin CFAF2.66b For Road Construction -
30/12/08
The Chinese government has granted Benin CFAF2.66 billion for the construction
of a road interchange in
Godomey, a major crossroad linking the Cotonou-Ouagadougou and Cotonou-Lomé networks.
The project is
aimed at easing the movement of people and goods in the city of Cotonou,
Benin's economic capital. The construction work, which was launched by Beninese
President
Yayi Boni, will last 30 months. [PANA
30/12/08]
Cotonou Receives New Pilot Boat - 22/09/08
A new pilot boat 'Emergence' was delivered to Cotonou port, Benin on 22/09/08.
The vessel will start
operations by the end of the month. [Length 15.25m / Width 4.80m / Draft 1.25]
[SAGA 22/09/08]
Benin Grows To 3rd Highest Regional Exporter On Re-Export
To Nigeria - 27/05/08
According to a 2008 World Trade Indicators [WTI] report, Benin is the region’s
third best exporter in 2007. Benin’s exports have grown by 19.2% from
2% in 2005-2006 and imports by 9.9% from 4.9% in 2005-2006. The WTI noted that,
looking at Benin’s large jump in export and doubling of import growth,
it is surprising for a low-income cotton producer to achieve such a growth
level, but due to increased re-export to Nigeria, whose capacity to import
[whether through official or unofficial channels] benefited from high export
earnings related to booming oil prices.
Trade growth in Nigeria, the region’s second largest economy, remained
about the same [5% in both 2005–6 and 2007] with a large slowdown in
import growth. Export growth was positive in 2007, albeit very low [2.1%],
reversing the negative growth experienced in the period 2005–6 [2.5%],
which was largely caused by underperformance in the oil export sector.
Angola
[ranked 4th in the world], benefited from increased oil prices and exports.
They achieved their highest export growth rates in almost 35 years
[21.9%], with correspondingly huge increases in their foreign exchange earnings,
allowing them to finance rapid real import growth. Meanwhile Sierra Leone registered
a high export growth [17.1%] largely as a result of the lifting of the diamond
export ban following the civil war. Other countries that experienced large
real appreciations included the Gambia [10.7%] and two other oil producers,
Equatorial Guinea [7.1%] and Gabon [5%]. These countries’ export growth
rates were positive, ranging from 4.1% to 7.2%, and at or below the global
average.
However Mauritania recorded negative real trade growth, the region’s
newest oil producer listed disappointing export growth [7.6 % in 2007, down
from 38.3 % in 2005–6] largely due to a halving of oil output tied to
the installation of new oil exploration and extraction equipment acquired the
prior year. Chad’s 2007 negative trade and export growth rate [0.4 %
and 2.8 %, respectively] is due to a decline in both oil and non-oil exports,
indicating a large decrease from its 2000–4 export levels [56.0 %] which
were at that time, caused by a jump in oil exports. [BD 22/06/08] [Tripoli
Post 27/05/08]
President Says Roads and Railroads are Needed for African
Development -
27/05/08
President Yayi Boni, addressing the opening of the 4th meeting of Transport
Ministers of CEN-SAD
Community member states, praised the Gaddafi-Trans-Sahara Road Project that
is to connect main regions.
Yayi Boni called for advancing proposals that speed up construction of roads
and railways networks in Africa
and to execute the cooperation agreement in the field of land transportation
and transits as well as in the
maritime industry. [Tripoli Post 27/05/08]
Regional Bank Lends Benin FCFA3.5b For Road Rehabilitation -
09/05/08
The ECOWAS Investment and Development Bank [BIDC] has supported the rehabilitation
of Benin's road
network with a FCFA3.5 billion loan. The money will help to partly finance
the rehabilitation of an important
section of the road network in the economic capital, Cotonou, at an overall
estimated cost of FCFA12 billion.
The rehabilitation of the main road, which is part of the preparations for
the holding of the 10th summit of the
Community of Sahelian-Saharan States [CEN-SAD], next July. [Afriquenligne
09/05/08]
Benin Grants A Port Area Of 10,000 M2 To Chad -
08/05/08
The government of Benin has granted a port area of 10,000 m2 to Chad for receiving,
warehousing and reexporting
of merchandise to and from this country. This decision is a part of the strengthening
of the
economic partnership agreement in effect between the two countries since 2002.
According to the Minister
of Transportation, total traffic from Chad via the port of Cotonou increased
from 14,317 tonnes in 2001 to
30,422 tonnes in 2007, a 112.48% increase. [Les Afriques 08/05/08]
DP World Keen To Manage Benin's Cotonou Port -
18/04/08
DP World [www.dpworld.com] is interested in managing Benin’s port and developing
a free zone in order to bolster its gateway status after meeting President Boni
Yayi. Parent company Dubai World identified the opportunities during the latest
leg of its West African tour [which included Gabon, Congo, Mali, Senegal, Mauritania,
Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Benin]. DP World stated that Benin has high growth
potential. Non-oil trade between Dubai and Benin amounted to US$61.4million in
2007, which included import, export and re-export. The port handles trade in
cotton, crude oil and palm products among other things. Dubai World has also
entered negotiations with the government of Benin to develop large-scale tourist
attractions in the country, including a 32km beachfront development and game
park as well as an international hotel in the capital city of Porto Novo. [RT
18/04/08]
SMTC Inaugurate Cranes - 02/04/08
SMTC, a Bolloré group company, has inaugurated two GOTTWALD HM46407
cranes in Cotonou port on 01/04/08. Both President Boni Yaya and Transport
Minster Armand Zinzindohoué were present. This hardware forms part of
the Cotonou Port Authority’s [CAP] plan to modernise and improve competitiveness
of the port. The cranes cost US$11.1 million [4.6 billion Fcfa], have a unit
capacity of 100 tons to 24 meters and handle 6-8 movements per hour. [Actubenin
02/04/08]
Benin: New TVI Tax - 01/03/08
Please note the Benin authorities have implemented a ‘Taxe de Voirie’,
applicable from 21/02/08. This tax, which
has been reinstated after cancellation in 2005, amounts to 0.85% of the CIF
value and concerns cargoes in transit
for hinterland countries. It comes in addition to the road guarantee fund of
0.25%. This tax will be added to our
CTBL tariff from 01/03/08 [Bill of Lading date]. Containers already unloaded
in Cotonou or still onboard will be
treated locally by our agents in Niger or Burkina in order to collect the tax
before leaving Cotonou.
Dredging At Cotonou Port - 03/12/07
The port of Cotonou has been undergoing dredging works since 10/11/07 by Danish
company BOS KALIS. The works are focusing on the entrance of the port which
was completely obstructed by sand leaving only 30 meters of navigable water.
They will also dredge the quays to a draft of approximately 11m. We understand
that the dredging work will continue until 20/12/07. [Local agent 03/12/07]
Cotonou Port: Non Manifested Cargoes -
28/11/07
Please note that the Benin Customs have warned shipping lines and importers
regarding non manifested cargoes. Effective from 1st January 2008, all cargo
[including those shipped inside vehicles] must be manifested. Non compliance
will mean shipping lines will be obliged to load goods back to origin at
cost and to pay heavy penalties. [28/11/07]
Bolloré Starts Negotiations To Manage Port In
Cotonou - 01/11/07
France's Bolloré group has begun negotiations with authorities in the
port of Cotonou, with a view to taking over the management of port, according
to Benin's transport minister Armand Zinzindohoue. Head of State, Thomas Yayi
Boni, met Michel Roussin, vice-president of the French group during a meeting
about imminent investment by the Bolloré group.
The port is currently managed by the Beninese government. Bolloré's
activities in the port will begin with maintenance, creation and management
of dry docks. According to local reports the group's investment could exceed
Euro 30 million. [Thomson Financial News 01/11/07]
ISPS - Cotonou Port Meets Safety Standards -
23/08/07
Cotonou port meets the minimum international requirements for port facilities
and safety according to a US audit. The US Coast Guard monitoring mission
evaluation stated that the autonomous port meets minimal requirements of
the international code of safety for boats and port facilities [ISPS].
Cotonou has avoided being downgraded and classified among ports to which
it is inadvisable
and dangerous to frequent. The Benin authorities have included reinforcing
control of access to the port facilities, setting up radio and communications
facilities for security guards, lighting up the marine shoreline of the
port and training the port’s staff in mastering the ISPS code. [APA
23/08/07]
Cotonou Port Draft -
03/09/07
Following a study made in Cotonou port the official maximum draft is 9m [high
tide/daylight berthing] as from 24th September 2007. Max LOA: 200m / Beam:50m
[SAGA 03/09/07]
Cotonou Port Receives Liebherr Cranes -
08/03/07
Two Liebherr LHM 500 cranes [www.liebherr.com] have been delivered to Cotonou
port. These cranes are exclusively for Danish Stevedores COMAN SA. The cranes
have a maximum lifting capacity of 140 tonnes [depending on winch configuration]
and 51 m max. radius.
IMF Mission On The Second Review Under Benin's PRGF -
08/03/07
An IMF mission visited Benin during 21/02-07/03 to conduct the second review
under Benin's Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility [PRGF] Arrangement. The
mission met President Boni Yayi, the Minister of Development, Economy and
Finance, Mr. Pascal Koupaki, his deputy, Mr. Albert Houngbo, Mr. Marcel A.
de Souza, the National Director for the Central bank [BCEAO], and other senior
officials of the government. The mission noted limited
progress was achieved in the port area where implementation of consolidated
electronic billing of port services, an end-December 2006 structural performance
criterion, was not effected. By and large, Benin's PRGF-supported program was
maintained on track. [IMF 08/03/07]
